GIPPSLAND Storm’s divisionone team had to fight for a 16goal win after a lacklustre first quarter against fifthplaced Palladians at the State Netball Centre on Wednesday night.
Knowing that Palladians was not fielding its strongest side due to injuries, Gippsland Storm paid its less experienced opponents little respect and they came out firing.
Numerous errors cost the Storm and Palladians took full advantage, blowing out the lead to 10 goals midway through the first quarter with accurate goaling.
The Storm was able to reduce the deficit to seven goals by quarter time, 1811.
A change in the lineup at quarter time, as well as a lift in intensity across the court, brought Storm back into the game and with increased possession through relentless pressure, the girls were able to reduce the margin to one goal by halftime.
Confident that Palladians had thrown everything at them with little success, Storm went into the third quarter confident it would be able to gradually increase the lead and subsequently quash any hopes the opposition had of getting back into the contest.
With Kylie Lush and Pam Wouters finally taking control in the attacking end, Storm was able to outscore their opponents 186 in the third quarter and snuff out any chance Palladians had of winning the contest.
The score at threequartertime was 4332.
The girls went into the final quarter full of confidence, having seen off the Palladians’ challenge and continued to force mistakes through the defensive pressure that they have prided themselves on during the season.
Scores: Gippsland Storm 59 d Palladians 43.
Christie Proctor was best on court, coming on at quarter time to provide the team with some much needed drive and intensity in attack. Sam Hodge was also instrumental in creating numerous turnovers in defence at GK, and teamed well with Tahli Shields to shut down Palladians dominant goal attack.
Kylie Lush was again a vocal point at GS and shot 38 goals from 41 attempts at 92 per cent.
This week is the final round of the season before the start of the finals.
TOP VOTES
Storm players featured in the voting for the Ellinbank Netball League best and fairest last Monday night.
Divisionone player Sam Hodge took out the Agrade best and fairest.
In promising signs for the future of the club, the first five positions of the under 17s best and fairest were filled by players who either currently play, or who have played for Storm in the past 12 months.
Ebony Mumford from Bunyip won the league best and fairest by a convincing eight votes, with Warragul Industrials Jess Ayres in second place.
Third place went to Nar Nar Goon’s Prue Evans, with Warragul Industrials Skye Huggett and Ashlea Lawry filling the fourth and fifth places.
Renee Cook was awarded the 15 and under league bestandfairest award.
Renee currently plays in Storm’s under 15 (1) team on a Thursday night at Waverley.
